Sew Much More

Cathy Cuddington is the owner of Dogwood Designs, a wholesale workroom located in Apex, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh. Her earliest sewing memory is making clothes for her Barbie dolls. She moved on to sewing her clothes through high school, even learning some tailoring techniques. Cathy spent her first career in the IT industry, during its infancy (i.e. card punch machines). During those 26 years, she would occasionally help out her friends with various window treatment requests, usually following a pattern in the pattern books. One personal project (a slipcover) took her onto the internet to find a how-to video. That one event opened her eyes to the possibilities of owning her own business in the custom soft furnishings marketplace. Dogwood Designs was born as a 50th birthday gift to herself. She has attended available trade schools and conferences, eventually gaining enough experience and confidence to offer her services exclusively to interior designers. She’s an active member of the Triangle chapte

Michele Williams is a serial entrepreneur and speaker on a mission to close the financial literacy gap for small businesses.  Through her two companies, Scarlet Thread Consulting, a client-facing coaching program, and Metrique Solutions, a robust financial software platform, she supports entrepreneurs to understand their numbers confidently.  Michele is a champion for creative entrepreneurs, serving as a change agent to facilitate building scalable and profitable businesses. Michele’s empowering work has been applauded by The Business of Home, My Doma Studios, and The American Society of Interior Designers. 

Born and raised in Marietta Ohio. Enjoyed making and creating as a kid and did a lot of cross stitch with her mom. Sewed a pair of shorts as a class project in 4th grade and didn’t pick up sewing again until after college. As a social worker, in Cincinnati, creating became a great outlet so she took an upholstery class and learned the basics. Life had plans and her first daughter was born, a month early and only 4lbs. So most creative ventures took a back seat. 2 more daughters came along and then her mother-in-law decided as a break from mom life a sewing basics class could be fun. Once a week for 6 weeks Elizabeth got out and realized how much she loved sewing! Over the years she has made costumes for plays, altered prom dresses, wedding dresses, and dance costumes! For a brief stint even had a storefront for her alterations business. Life again threw a curveball and her husband got a job in Asheville North Carolina and they needed to move. In Asheville, she found out about workroom tech through a grandmot

Angie Wewel is the owner of Grandview Drapery Studio, a wholesale workroom located in Arvada, Colorado, just northwest of Denver. From a young age, Angie has had the desire to start her own business in a creative industry. After attending the Custom Workroom Conference in 2018, she decided it was finally time to turn her life-long passion and pursuit of sewing into a career. Angie values ongoing education and has attended classes at Workroom Tech in Tryon, North Carolina, studied upholstery at a technical college in Denver, and has taken many additional online and in-person training courses and seminars to hone her skills. She is a member of the Workroom Accountability and Mentoring group (WAM), and a member of the WCAA, and WCAA Virtual Chapter. Angie is on Facebook and Instagram     Links and Resources; M'Fay Workroom Manual Deborah Cronin's Blog Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library Price Your Work with Confidence - Kitty Stein SCORE   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom C

Lisa LaChance started Something Sew Unique nearly 20 years ago in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. While there she had the opportunity to create unique window treatments and bedding in every style, texture, and fabric imaginable – from rustic country to shabby chic to sleek contemporary style. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. As a professional member of the Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA), she is active in the promotion of window treatment design and fabrication as a business. In 2007 she completed certification to become a Certified Workroom Professional and was also featured in the prestigious Window Covering Association of America (WCAA) 2007 Elegance Showcase. Her solid educational background and experience, coupled with her love for sewing and design, have given Lisa a unique view into the window of interior fashions. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, spending time with her grandchildren, and caving in her backyard.   Links and Resources; Dream Draper Instagram

Claudia Couto, owner and founder of Claudia Couture Homes LLC, has been in the design business for over 17 years. Born and raised in Brazil, Claudia’s passion for unique luxury design began at a young age, when she learned to sew at just 8 years old. With great grandparents who were Italian designers, the industry has been in her family for decades. After studying Chemical Engineering in Brazil, Claudia came to America to pursue her dreams of design. She graduated from New York Institute of Art with a degree in Interior Design and went on to begin her career in Connecticut, specializing in luxury textiles, high-end custom window treatments, upholstery, bespoke furniture design and beyond. Over the years, Claudia’s work has been installed in hundreds of homes curated by top interior designers. She has worked in Connecticut, the Hamptons, Westchester, New York City, Newport, Watch Hill and abroad in Dubai and areas of Japan. Her expert craftsmanship, along with her creativity, reliability and unmatched quality

Links and Resources; Chris Guillebeau

Peg Wagner owns and operates Above and Beyond Window Design out of her home, working with mostly designers. She fabricates window treatments, pillows, cushions, and roman shades, as well as sells hard treatments. Peg has a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in Home Ec. (Back in the day when they called it that.) Sewing was in her background. In 2008, while working part-time in a design store she was introduced to CHF academy. It was near Charlotte NC and her next-door neighbors had just moved to Charlotte. Peg took the opportunity to go and take 3 classes while staying in the evening with her former neighbors. She was hooked from day one and her only regret is that she didn’t know about this industry sooner. Peg has met the most amazing, dynamic, generous women at the CWC conferences and classes. Before that, she was a “stay-at-home” mom of 2, while helping with her husband’s business as a sales rep in the ski and outdoor industry. His office was at home and he traveled to the states of MI, IN, and O

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt Notes: To see Cynthia's letter to her students, colleagues and friends click here. Episode 88 with Kitty Stein Laura Nelson's article in the Drapery & Design Digital Digest

Kristine Clarke owns and operates August Day Designs, a custom soft furnishings workroom. She fabricates window treatments, Roman shades, and pillows for interior designers. Kristine has been in business for 16 years and operates her business part-time from her home. She lives in Murfreesboro, TN, having recently moved from West Des Moines, IA. Kristine and her husband Scott have one son who is a junior in college in Nashville, TN.  She grew up learning to sew in 4-H and from her mom and grandma. When her son was a toddler, Kristine looked for an option to work from home. She took online classes from the CHFS to get started in this business. Kristine has made great friends by being involved in this industry and enjoys taking classes and meeting other workroom owners.    Resources and Links; Price Your Work With Confidence by Kitty Stein Take Back Your Time by Christy Wright Atomic Habits by James Clear FlyLady website   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consul

Claire Herne is the owner of Louie Custom Drapery, located in Darien Connecticut. Claire's background is in investment banking, but she has sewn throughout her life, just for fun! Moving from the UK to the US in 2009 meant decorating a big new house and she struggled to find a local workroom so she pulled out her sewing machine and started making drapes and pillows and found that she really loved it. Soon, Claire, had friends asking her to start making soft furnishings for them and she decided that she should do this professionally.   Louie Custom Drapery (named after Claire's mom and daughter) has been in business for just over 4 years - she serves the local trade community. Claire loves to interact with other workroom professionals and most of her learning has been through this wonderful group and at Workroom Tech.   Claire lives with her 15-year-old daughter, 2 dogs, a cat, and 2 rabbits (aka Darien Petting Zoo!), her workroom has recently been located in her garage and things are really taking off now.  

Rachel and Bryan Short own and operate The Sewing Loft of Avon, a custom soft furnishings workroom located in Connecticut.  It is a full-service workroom serving both interior designers and homeowners.  Rachel has had a passion for sewing her entire life and made her first item in her sixth grade HomeEc class, a small football-shaped pillow.   She turned her passion into a business when she started The Sewing Loft in their home in July 2010 after spending most of her professional life as a paralegal at a major law firm and at a wind energy company.  Bryan came on board in 2013 after a career as a litigation attorney and both he and Rachel started working on growing The Sewing Loft full-time. Through the many ups and downs, joys and struggles, they always encouraged each other and remained focused on making their dream a reality.  Today, The Sewing Loft is a thriving business with employees and has expanded to a commercial space.  Most important, they are excited for what the future will bring!   Links and Res

Jennifer White has been part of the window treatment for quite a while and has shared her fabrication expertise and is now venturing into selling roman shade headrails and other Vako products to her colleagues. Hear how Jennifer has pivoted into a new business and the new skills she needed to learn. You can reach Jennifer at Jennifer@workroomsupply.com or message her on her Facebook account.    Links and Resources; Workroom Supply, LLC Vako    

Carol Dykhouse, owner of Creations by Carol, has been in business for 40 years. She started out doing custom sewing and alterations and bridal gowns.  When weddings were slow, she would do window treatments for friends. Her excellent work soon garnered other customers. After 5 years she exclusively did consulting and fabrication of window treatments and home decor. As her business grew, she became the go-to person for area designers to supply both hard and soft treatments.   Carol’s workroom started out in a bedroom, using a 3x8 table and canned cherries for weights. Her current workroom encompasses the entire lower level, with 2 work tables and 4 commercial machines and 2 Bernina home machines, and other necessities.  One of her mantras is to put efficiency in everything she does.   Carol won 1st place in Top Treatments in 1993 for the WFCP.  That resulted in a full-page article in the Sunday Home Section of the Grand Rapids Press. Her business took off.   Links and Resources; WFCP     The Sew Much More Pod

  MaryBeth Davis is the owner of MBDSews, a one-person retail workroom in the Richmond Virginia area.  A self-taught sewist, MaryBeth has been fabricating home furnishings for over 30 years, but embraced sewing as more than a hobby in 2017.  From her home workroom, MaryBeth designs and fabricates window styles, pillows and cushions, bedding, and light upholstery. When not busy in her home sewing workroom, MaryBeth enjoys cooking, reading, and being outside in the garden.  She loves spending time with her husband, their daughter and son-in-law, and grand dog Murphy.   Links and Resources; Canva Workroom Tech My Designer Conceirge The Custom Workroom Conference   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association

Carla Pyle has been an active promoter of healthy upholstery since she led a team to develop a line of organic furniture in 2009. An upholstery teacher since 2011, she is currently a virtual instructor for The Funky Little Chair's FLC Upholstery 200: Fundamentals program. She offers consulting services to designers and upholstery professionals looking to incorporate sustainable principles and health-focused materials into their business. Carla is a founding member of the National Upholstery Association and owns Natural Upholstery in Livingston, Montana. Facebook (business page) Instagram - NaturalUpholstery & Uphol_stories YouTube   Links and Resources; Circular Economy (Earth Day 2020) Furniture Waste (Cynthia, Jamie & Kriss) Chair art show Furniture Manufacturing Expo (Upholstery Track - my talk is under July 21 tab) Eco-terric   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merr

    The tables are turned today as I get interviewed by LuAnn Nigara!  Yes, I was a little nervous, but LuAnn does a great job with all of her guests, and I really enjoyed talking with her!     The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   Trading Up Consulting, LLC   National Upholstery Association

It was a pleasure to talk with Susan Woodcock and Rodger Walker about the upcoming Custom Workroom Conference.  You can find out more about it and register here.

Edith Williamson is a first-generation Hungarian emigrant from Transylvania. She is the owner of Drapery Montage in Houston, Texas. Also known as Houston's Drapery Store. She describes it as a one-of-a-kind, all under one roof, everything you need for your windows company also known as Houston's Drapery Store. They are custom fitting inspiration and design - one stitch at a time, since 1984. For the better part of the 38 years, they operated in commercial locations. As of 2012, they purchased a 2,300 sq. ft. building of their own and renovated it to fit the needs of both a design studio and a brightly lit workroom. The love affair with creating, the added years of experience, and the recommendations they receive has them busier than ever.   You can find Edith on Facebook.   Links and Resources; E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis,

Tracy Abraham is the owner of Abraham Design Workroom located in Massachusetts. A lifelong sewist, she opened her (mainly) to the trade business in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. When not in the workroom, she loves to travel with her family and spends as many summer days on her favorite beach in Wells, Maine as she can with her husband and their four children. Links and Resources; (some of these links are affiliate links and if you use them, I may make a little money, so I appreciate you using them!)   Jim Rohn Books   The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz   Susan Woodcock and Workroom Tech Ann Johnson's Three Strikes and I'm Out Etsy Link for Tracy's digital planner   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   Trading Up Consulting, LLC